Psalm 32:1-5
1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.3 While I kept silent, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Walking through stores, you can often find signs that say things like “Choose Joy” or “Be Happy.” If only it were that simple! I think most of us long for the ability to live with no worries or concerns as if it is as simple as a choice. In reality, deep joy takes a great deal of work. We must work at it throughout our lives and our relationship with God.
Even in this Psalm, the writer tells us that their body wasted away and their strength was dried up as if they lived in Florida in July. Indeed, life can be hard and the journey of trying to make it through can be incredibly difficult. Life can make us weak and weary and yet God calls to us to be all in. God calls us to be in relationship, to dig deep and not hide any parts of ourselves. For it is in the deep waters that our thirst is truly quenched. While the shallow water provide a brief respite, God call us to go deep and in our vulnerability comes the depth and connection that sustains us for the lifelong journey.
Be open. Share with God your thoughts, feelings, hope and dreams. Share with God your disappointments, fears, worries and grief. God tells us again and again that we are heard, loved and forgiven. If anyone can understand, know that God sent Jesus to be with us and for us because God gets it. And, we can be grateful that God gets us.
Prayer
Thank you God for understanding us and calling us to be in relationship. Help us to share our iniquity, our deepest thoughts and feelings, knowing that we are heard, loved and forgiven. Amen.